Curved continuous fastener



G. H. EMI-:RY 3,003,212

CURVED CONTINUOUS FASTENER Oct. 10, 1961 Filed Aug. 28. 1956 JNVENToR. 652m. o/u: hf. EMeeY Hee /4 rrousv "nited States This invention relates generally to slide fasteners and more particularly to the' structure of the webbing or fastening base of the slide fastener.

Slide fasteners for garments require considerable strength, particularly those used for undergarments such as for girdles. Curved slide fasteners lend themselves to better girdle structures but they have not been available.

The prior art shows curved slide fasteners and they state that they are for use on automobile coverings and curtains. The United States patents to Sundback 1,403,988 and 1,434,857 disclose curved slide fasteners but when the former is applied to a girdle or corset, it is shown to be straight and always has been straight from that date to the present. This art teaches that the staggered interlocking members should have wider spacing on the outside of the curve and narrower spacing on the inside ofthe curve. This improvement has also been carried further by using wedge-shaped interlocking members. Nevertheless the problem still remained that the fastener was never used for undergarments because of the problem of the webbing or tape. lt would not lie flat and had to be notched on the outside of the curve :and pleated on the inside of the curve and then it would make uncomfortable spots that could not be employed in undergarments. Any other attempt to make a slide fastener curved resulted in puckering that does not lend itself to sewing into the garment.

'Bhe principal object of this invention is the solving of this problem by introducing an anchoring member for the inner webbing member and to preshape the webbing for both sides of the fastener before adding the staggering interlocking members thereto. This solution to the problem is simple yet it has not been discovered even though curved slide fasteners have been illustrated in the art for many years.

Other objects and ladvantages of this invention may be found in the following description and claims.

The accompanying drawings show for the purpose of exempliication without limiting the invention or claims thereto certain practical embodiments illustrating the principles of this invention wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a slide fastener comprising this invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the webbing with parts broken away shown in FIG. 1 with the anchoring cord on the inside of the curve.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the webbing with parts broken away of a double anchoring cord on the inside of the curve. Y

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the webbing with parts broken away showing the anchoring cord spaced from the inner edge of the curve.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the webbing with parts broken away showing a double anchoring cord spaced from the inner edge of the curve.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the webbing with parts broken away showing a heavy wide anchoring member overlying the inner curved edge.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 the slide fastener is made up of the web members 1 and 2 the former being for the outer section of the curve and the latter for the inner section of the curve. These webs are of woven tape and the weave usually has the appearance of herringbone. The adjacent edges of this webbing have the twisted cord or beading 3 sewed to opposite faces of the webbing or tape. This must be accomplished with the tape drawn to tit the length and configuration of the cord. This webbing with the appearance of herringbone is purchased in open market. Lt is stable and strong and was chosen for its strength and stability. The twisted cord is also produced in open market. It is made of several threads twisted in one and was also chosen for the strength and stability. If the fastener is to be a continuous curve the cord is measured for that curvature and the tape is sewed thereto. The cord 3 of the tape 1 is along the inner curve 4 of the tape and is actually shorter in length than the outer edge of the curve 5 of the tape 1.

The cord 3 may be curved for a section, then straight and later curved or pass through a reverse curve. The tape must always follow the cord to be relatively longer or shorter depending on whether the cord is respectively on the inside or outside of the curve.

As shown in all views the cords 3 on the tape 1 are on the inner curve and are shrorter than the tape but the cords 3 on the tape 2 are on the outer curve 6 and are longer thanthe tape to which they a-re attached. The inner curve of tape 2 is indicated at 7. By preforming the tape in this manner it readily conforms toV the curve and lwill not give puckers or bulges. When the ends of the cord and the tape are stitched together, their centers may or may not be tached, then they are sewed for their full length. The actual difference in their lengths is distributed evenly therealon-g and the tape will nicely follow the curve that it is intended. It is believed that the uniform distribution of the two different lengths in sewing them together prevents the tape and the slide fastener from puckering in the curve.

The anchoring cord 8 on the inner curve of the innermost web or tape, which is 2, is shorter than the web and in fact shorter than the cords 3 and both tapes 1 and 2. It is sewed to one side of the web, the inner edge of the web, or on both sides of the web as shown at 8 and 10 in FIG. 3. Here -again the Web is conformed to the cord. The cord 8 or cords 8 and 1t) may be applied iirst to the tape 2 and later the cords 3` applied or vice versa.

In FIG. 4 the single anchoring cord 11 may be spaced from the inner curve 7 of the tape 2. In FIG. S the double cord structure 151 and 12 are on opposite faces of the tape 2. and spaced from the curve 7.

As shown in FIG. 6 the cord is replaced by a tight strip of material 13 which functions as the anchoring cord and may be a heavier strip of material. It has strength as the cord to hold the tape to the curve.

The jaws of the staggering interlocking members are clamped down on the cords 3` of both tapes. The ends of the slide fasteners are closed by the connectors 14 and the free ends are provided with the usual stops. The die for inserting t-he jaws of t-he interlocking members may have a curve to 4guide the curved tape. With this structure the slide fastener will stay in the curve that is made and the tapes do not pucker or spoil the curve and can easily be sewn by hand or by machine to the garments. The size and strength of the interlocking members can be made sufliciently strong for girdles and they will open and close easily on the curve.

I claim:

1. A support for a curved slide fastener comprising two lengths of tape of the herringbone weave providing a first and second tape, a twisted cord beading means the .total length of which is shorter than the length of the first tape and stitched thereto along one of its edges to effect a curve for receiving a half set of slide fasteners, the ends of both the tape and the twisted cord beading means matching each other and the difference in their lengths 3 being uniformly 'distributed between their ends, a second twisted cord beading e'afs 'llgc' 'than yand 'Stitched thereto along the edge of said second tape to create a curve complementary to the curve of the corded edge of the nrst tape for receiving the other half 'set ef fasteners, `and a third cord means shorter than 'said second tape 'and stitched thereto 'along said second tape 'in uniform spaced relation from said second twisted. *cord beading means to anchor the curve created in said 'second tape.

2. The slide fastener support of claim l characterized in that said third cord means includes a 'cord means stitched on each face of said 'second tape.

3. The slide fastener support of claim l characterized in that said third cord means is spaced from the inner arcuate edge of said second tape.

2t. The slide fastener support of claimy 1 characterized in that said third cord means is 'a heavier strip 'of material lfastened to said second tape. ,l

5'. A support for a curved slide fastener comprising two lengths of tape of the herringbone `weave providing a first and second tape, a twisted cord beading means the total length of which is shorter 'than the length of the first tape and stitched the'retonalong one of its edges to `effect a curve for receiving a h'alf se't of slid'e'fasteners, the ends of both the tape and thet'w'isted cord beading means matching each other and the vdifference in their lengths being uniformly distributed between their ends, a second twisted cord beading means `Ylonger than and stitched thereto along the edge of said second Itape to create a curve complementary to 'the curve of the corded edge 0f the rst tape `for receiving the other half 'set of fasteners, a third cord means sh'c'irter than said second tape and stitched thereto along said second tape in uniform spaced relation 4from said second twisted cord beading means to anchor the curve created in said second tape, and a fourth cord means stitched thereto along said 4 second tape in uniform spaced relation to said second twisted 'cord beading 'means 't 'further anchor the curve created in said second tape.

6. A curved slide fastener tape comprising a length of slide fastener tape of herringbone weave providing a rst and second tape, a twisted cord beading means the total length vof which is different 'thanthe 'total rlength of said slide fastener tape and'stit'ched 'thereto along one side thereof adjacent one of its edges to effect a curve in the slide fastenerY tape, a second'twisted cord beading means of different length than the length of said slide 1fastener tape and stitched along one Side thereof, the ends of both the slide fastener tape and both of said twisted cord beadingmean's rnatchin'g' each other and the difference in their lengths 'being uniformly distributed between ytheir ends to aid and sustain lthe curve in said slide fastener tape.

7. The curved slide fastener of claim 6 characterized in that said second twisted cord beading means is on the opposite face of said slide Ifastener tape than said first twisted cord beading4 means. f p

8. The curved slide fastener of 'claim 6 characterized in that said second twisted cord beading means is on the same face of said slide .fastener tape 'as said r'st twisted cord beading means and adjacent the other 'edge of said slide fastener tape.

'References 'citen .in theme ofthis patent UNITED lSTATES PATENTS 

